Textron Corporation

Other

Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC

Richard J Seidl

David Curtis Goss

Michael D Marvell

In a preferred embodiment, a driver socket is configured to provide a visual indicator on a portion of a locknut upon application of a predetermined torque to the driver socket relative to the locknut. The driver socket has a member which is positioned proximate to the first end, with a portion thereof protruding into an aperture of the driver socket. The member is configured to engage a drive configuration of a locknut in order to apply nut torque to the locknut upon rotation of the drive socket and to form a mark on the drive configuration of the locknut in order to provide a visual indicator on the locknut that the locknut has been subjected to the desired torque during initial assembly. The driver socket is preferably attached to a ratchet arm of a fastening tool which provides a mechanical advantage in applying the desired torque.

Torque limiting socket and method of using same

A cooler chest and can dispensing structure is described for individually dispensing cans therefrom. The structure comprises a cooler chest having a can dispensing structure positioned in the cooler compartment which extends between the opposite ends of the cooler chest. The can dispensing structure is sealed from the interior of the cooler chest to prevent ice and water therein from coming into contact with the cans.

Cooler chest and can dispensing structure

There is disclosed a torque transmitting or coupling arrangement for a fastener drive system or the like, wherein the respective externally configured and internally configured components are provided with a series of mating, elliptically curved flutes and lobes. In both the externally and internally configured components, the flutes and lobes are defined by a first series of elliptically curved surfaces which alternate with a second series of elliptically curved surfaces, with the respective surfaces merging smoothly and generally tangentially to define the alternating flutes and lobes on each said component. One of the components, either the externally configured or the internally configured component will preferably have the flutes and lobes thereon generated from ellipses of substantially equal dimension. The other component, of necessity, will have the flutes and lobes generated from ellipses of differing dimensions. It is appreciated of course, that the flutes and lobes on both the internally and externally configured components may be generated from ellipses of unequal dimensions. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the centers of the various ellipses which define the flutes and lobes fall at the apexes of regular hexagons. Also, the centers for both series of ellipses will fall on substantially the same circle. There is also disclosed the tools which can be employed to form both the external and internal configurations in accordance with the invention.

Elliptical lobed drive system

A fastener which releasably retains a first member in relation to a second member. The fastener is frangible for fracture upon the application of a tensioning force thereto permitting the first and second members to which the fastener is engaged to be displaced relative to one another. The fastener, once fractured, is retained in the corresponding first and second members to which it was originally attached to prevent the generation of loose pieces. An installation tool is also provided for installing the fastener into the first and second members. The fastener includes a shank which fractures into a first and a second segment. A frangible portion of the fastener is spaced along the shank between the first and second segments and defines such segments for providing a predetermined fracture point. Non-planar engaging portions on the first and second segments retain the fastener in the corresponding first and second members once engaged therewith even after fracture of the fastener. The non-planar engaging portions also prevent the fastener from rattling while it is engaged with the members. The engagement portions include a thread which has a thicker base component and a generally flexible crest component.

Air bag stud

A recessed drive socket in a fastener or the like, is driven by a mating, drive tool received within the socket. The socket cavity has a multilobular cross-section defined by an alternating annular series of adjacent socket flutes and socket lobes extending parallel along a general central axis from an entrance opening into the cavity circumscribed by a peripheral support collar. Each socket lobe is truncated by a guide surface inclined from the opening at a radially outer edge of an adjacent socket flute into the cavity to form a tool clearance recess portion of the guide surface which defines the radial outer edge of the adjacent flute. The guide surface extends from the tool clearance recess portion to a termination of the guide surface within the cavity axially recessed from the cavity opening in order to provide cammed guidance of drive lobes on the drive tool against the inclined guide surface into the respective socket flutes and to prevent driving engagement of the drive lobes with the socket lobes until the cammed guidance results in axially extended depth of the drive lobes into the socket flutes for efficient and balanced torque transmission.

Growing community of inventors

Rockford, IL, United States of America

Richard J Seidl